Bylakuppe: The Tibetan settlements of Bylakuppe and Hunsur Rabgyaling were visited by a delegation from the Wisedāna Foundation (Italy) from 8 to 10 November 2024 to assess the progress of the Building Block Compact Community (BBCC) project in these settlements.
The delegation consisted of Filippo Scianna from Wisedāna Foundation; Enrica Lobina, General Director of Wisedāna Foundation; Marta Tuchetta, Communication Officer; Beatrice Marzi, Consultant and Fund Raising Officer; and Francesco Banfi, Project & Fundraising Officer.
On 8 November 2024, the group visited the Bylakuppe Lugsam Settlement Office. A meeting was held with local Tibetan officials to discuss the BBCC project with the Chief Representative Officer of South Zone, Additional Secretary Jigmey Tsultrim, Bylakuppe Lugsam Tibetan Settlement Officer Gelek Jungney, Dickey Larsoe Tibetan Settlement Officer Chime Dorjee, and the Organic Research & Training Centre Director Tsering Dorjee and Deputy Director Tsewang Norbu.
The group visited plots 1, 2, and 3 and discussed the land allocations with the Agricultural Extension Officer (AEO). The AEO answered the delegation’s questions regarding the land usage.
The Wisedāna Foundation delegation also visited the farm of a young, innovative farmer in Lugsam. This farmer has been practising hydroponic cultivation in a controlled environment, growing fireball chilli peppers. He also processes the chillies for marketing and has received FCCI certification for his product.
On the second day, 9 November 2024, the delegation visited two BBCC project plots in Camp No. 12 of the Bylakuppe Dickey Larsoe Settlement. During the visit, they examined the elephant protection trenches. They also visited two plots at Lugsam Camp No. 2 and engaged with the Organic Research & Training Centre (ORTC) team about the land allocations. The AEOs from both Dickey Larsoe and Lugsam addressed the delegation’s questions regarding the land and its usage.
Later, the team visited the Organic Research & Training Centre (ORTC) at Bylakuppe. They met with the Director and Deputy Director, who provided insights into ORTC’s activities, including research on new cash crops and medicinal plants. The delegation were shown the vermicomposting unit and the nursery unit, where they observed a demonstration of the micro-budding technique. The delegation were also briefed on the critical role of ORTC in supporting Tibetan farmers and advancing agricultural and animal husbandry practices in Tibetan settlements across India, Nepal, and Bhutan.
On the final day, 10 November 2024, the delegation had a brief meeting with the settlement officer and staff of the settlements before visiting the BBCC project site at Hunsur Rabgyaling Settlement. The team reviewed two plots totalling 9.9 acres of land near D Village. During the field visit, the delegation interacted with the settlement officer and the AEO, who clarified their queries. The assessment of the BBCC project site in Hunsur was then successfully completed.
-Report filed by Department of Home, CTA
